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Counseling Psychology and Special Education

Graduate Programs

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Counseling Psychology (PhD)

The counseling psychology training program at BYU emphasizes the educational, developmental, and multicultural functions of counseling psychologists. Students are prepared to work as counseling psychologists in college counseling centers, academic departments, independent practice, and a variety of behavioral health and educational settings.
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School Psychology (EdS)

The EdS degree in school psychology prepares students to pursue credentialing as school psychologists in Pre-K – 12 educational settings and is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) through December 2026. Knowledge and competency areas include data-based decision-making, consultation and collaboration with teachers and parents, academic interventions and instructional supports, mental and behavioral health services and interventions, school-wide practices to support learning, services to promote safe and supportive schools, family-school-community collaboration, equitable practices for diverse populations, research and evidence-based practice, and legal, ethical and professional practice.

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Special Education (MS)

The BYU Special Education MS program prepares graduates to provide collaborative leadership in schools to facilitate the academic and social development of all students, including individuals with disabilities with challenging behavior. The program includes a verified course sequence to prepare graduates to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. In addition, graduates learn about systemic approaches to creating equitable and effective learning environments through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Response to Intervention (RTI), and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The masters program is open to teachers, special and general educators, as well as students from other disciplines. Classes are offered in the evening to accommodate teachers’ work schedules during fall, winter, and spring semesters.
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Faculty

See a full list of Counseling Psychology and Special Education
department graduate faculty

Courses

See all Counseling Psychology and Special Education
graduate courses
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Contact

340 MCKB
(801) 422-3859
diane_hancock@byu.edu
Department Website

The Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education prepares educators and professionals who work with individuals, small groups, and organizations/systems. The programs offered in the department all pursue at least two common goals. The first is to help individuals enhance the quality of their lives through meaningful personal, educational, and career development. A second common goal is to assist people in overcoming barriers to learning and to experience success and happiness in life. These barriers include unsupportive environments and individuals' difficulties in thinking, learning, making decisions, relating to others, understanding the impact of their behavior, and so forth.

Faculty implement a scientist-practitioner model through which students and faculty enhance learning through research and inquiry. Further, in dealing with those whom they serve, students apply the principles learned from research evidence. Since their work is often highly personal, it is essential that students possess and develop integrity, using professional standards of ethical conduct. They must also develop the knowledge and skills essential to promote positive change in individuals struggling with important aspects of their lives. The settings in which graduates typically serve include public and private schools, colleges, and universities.

Each program assists students in planning individual course work, receiving supervised practical experience, and obtaining appropriate credentials (certification and licensure).

Three degrees are offered through the Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education: Special Education—MS; School Psychology—EdS; and Counseling Psychology—PhD.

The average number of students admitted varies by program as follows:

Special Education 6 every year

School Psychology 12 every year

Counseling Psychology 6 every year

Chair:  Ellie L. Young
Counseling Psychology Graduate Coordinator:  Aaron P. Jackson
School Psychology Graduate Coordinator:  Ellie L. Young
Special Education Graduate Coordinator:  Cade Charlton

Resources & Opportunity

Computer Laboratories. The University's remote server provides access to a wide variety of computer programs including SPSS, SAS, and M+.

Graduate Student Project and Research Laboratory. Space is provided for graduate students who are working with faculty on research, evaluation, and development projects.

Study Areas. Graduate study areas are available in the CPSE Graduate Lab, the McKay School of Education Technology Education Computing Lab, and the Harold B. Lee Library.

For a more detailed description of the graduate program requirements, view the department Web page.

Financial Assistance

Graduate Assistantships. Graduate assistantships include working with selected faculty members on research projects, curriculum development, and other assignments for 5 to 20 hours per week. Several other organizations on campus, such as the Counseling and Psychological Services, often request students to serve as graduate assistants.

Scholarships. All students matriculate in one of the graduate programs will receive partial-tuition scholarships based on merit and/or need. These scholarships are awarded through the initial years of the program, prior to internships year.

University Financial Aid. Other sources of financial aid are available to students through the Financial Aid Office, A-41 ASB, Provo, UT 84602-1009. International students can contact the International Students Services Office at internationalservices.byu.edu, then select the "Scholarship" link.

BYU Graduate Studies offers several sources for support such as Graduate Mentoring Awards and Graduate Student Research Fellowship Awards.